Royal Blue Grocery, a chain of boutique urban markets from Austin, plans to open its first San Antonio location on Houston Street downtown.

Royal Blue Grocery, a chain of boutique urban markets from Austin, plans to open its first San Antonio location on Houston Street downtown.

Photo: Courtesy Of Royal Blue Grocery

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Data from the Shelby Report details which grocery store chain controls the most turf in South Texas. Click through the slideshow to see the ranking.

Data from the Shelby Report details which grocery store chain controls the most turf in South Texas. Click through the slideshow to see the ranking.

Photo: FILE

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11. Sprouts

Number of stores: 9

Percentage of market control: .50 percent

11. Sprouts

Number of stores: 9

Percentage of market control: .50 percent

Photo: Tom Reel /San Antonio Express-News

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10. Trader Joe's

Number of stores: 5

Percentage of market control: .60 percent

10. Trader Joe's

Number of stores: 5

Percentage of market control: .60 percent

Photo: MARVIN PFEIFFER, Marvin Pfeiffer / EN Communities

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9. SuperTarget

Number of stores: 9

Percentage of market control: 1.4 percent

9. SuperTarget

Number of stores: 9

Percentage of market control: 1.4 percent

Photo: DON EMMERT /AFP /Getty Images

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8. AWG (a wholesaler)

Number of stores: 12

Percentage of market control: 1.4 percent

8. AWG (a wholesaler)

Number of stores: 12

Percentage of market control: 1.4 percent

Photo: Tim Boyle, Getty Images

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7. Whole Foods

Number of stores: 7

Percentage of market control: 1.5 percent

7. Whole Foods

Number of stores: 7

Percentage of market control: 1.5 percent

Photo: Jonathan Weiss /TNS

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6. Lowe's

Number of stores: 43

Percentage of market control: 1.6 percent

6. Lowe's

Number of stores: 43

Percentage of market control: 1.6 percent

Photo: Scott Olson, Getty Images

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5. Affiliated Foods (a wholesaler)

Number of stores: 45

Percentage of market control: 1.7 percent

5. Affiliated Foods (a wholesaler)

Number of stores: 45

Percentage of market control: 1.7 percent

Photo: Getty Images

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4. Grocers Supply (a wholesaler)

Number of stores: 52

Percentage of market control: 1.8 percent

4. Grocers Supply (a wholesaler)

Number of stores: 52

Percentage of market control: 1.8 percent

Photo: Tim Gruber /New York Times

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3. Albertsons/ Safeway

Number of stores: 15

Percentage of market control: 2 percent

3. Albertsons/ Safeway

Number of stores: 15

Percentage of market control: 2 percent

Photo: Ric Francis /Associated Press

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2. Wal-Mart

Number of stores: 139

Percentage of market control: 26.9 percent

2. Wal-Mart

Number of stores: 139

Percentage of market control: 26.9 percent

Photo: Associated Press File Photo

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1. H-E-B

Number of stores: 204

Percentage of market control: 59. 6 percent

1. H-E-B

Number of stores: 204

Percentage of market control: 59. 6 percent

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

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Royal Blue Grocery plans store on Houston Street downtown

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Royal Blue Grocery, a chain of boutique urban markets from Austin, plans to open its first San Antonio location on Houston Street downtown — a victory for developers and local officials who want more retail options for downtown workers and residents.

The chain has signed a lease with local developer Weston Urban to open a 2,500 square-foot store in the Savoy Building, across the street from Geekdom and two blocks from where the new Frost Tower is being built, said Randy Smith, Weston Urban’s president.

“It is downtown’s biggest retail win in decades,” Smith said. “When an outfit like Royal Blue, who could be anywhere... says ‘Houston Street is where we need to be,’ it feels good. It validates all the work that’s been done over the last several years on the housing front and jobs front.”

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Media: San Antonio Express-News

The store, which is expected to open in September, will sell groceries such as dairy, fruits and vegetables, beer and wine, as well as grab-and-go meals including tacos, salads, sandwiches and soups, owner Craig Staley said in an email. It will be open from 7 a.m. to midnight, he said.

“We are not a substitute for a full-size grocer, but we are the three trips in between for one or two things,” he said.

For the full version of this story, see Thursday’s business section or click here to visit ExpressNews.com.